Listed Building record MDO16833 - Godlingston Manor, Washpond Lane, Godlingston, Swanage

An important medieval house, incorporating a circular tower, probably defensive in origin. Purbeck Stone walls and roof with stone chimney stacks.

At a very early period Godlingston became the property and seat of the family of Talbots, who afterwards owned it for several generations. There are considerable remains of an old mansion still standing, the house is low and meanly built of rubble stone with scarcely any ornament, but it's antiquity gives it some interest. Hutchins tells us there was anciently a chapel here, which in his time made part of it, but if such was the case it has been wholly destroyed. <2> Now known as Godlingston Manor (a). The front door may be 13th century and the main part of the southern wall, the back (north) is probably 14th century. The oldest part is probably the tower in the west and the latest part is a slight extension on the east which was added in the 17th century. No information was obtained upon the site of the chapel. <3> SZ 015802. Godlingston Manor, of one storey and attics and two storeys, was built probably circa 1300 on a rectangular plan with a rounded tower at the west end presumably as a defensive place. In the early 17th century the main part of the house was drastically altered and in the mid 18th century a kitchen wing was added to the north. The cross wing was rebuilt after a fire in the late 19th century. <4> Godlingston Manor incorporates some remains of a semi-fortified stone house of circa 1300. <5> Listed as a strong house by Cathcart King. <6> Godlingston Manor (name confirmed in very good condition. <7>

Record last edited

Apr 15 2023 8:00AM